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On this page
- Who is favourite in the Premier League sack race?
- Why is Michael Carrick the sack race favourite?
- Why is Pierre Sage second favourite?
- How does the next manager to leave market work?
- How do you check the rules before betting on a sack race?
- What moves sack race odds?
- Which next manager markets do we cover?
- Current sports welcome offers
- Staying in control
- Sources checked
- FAQs
Last checked 22 October 2026 by Tom Perkins, Editor. Prices are quoted only with the bookmaker named and the time they were published. Settlement rules are taken from the Sky Bet help centre on 22 October 2026.
Michael Carrick is the favourite in the Premier League sack race. Sky Bet made the Manchester United head coach 4/6 to be the next Premier League manager to leave his job (about a 60% implied chance) at 09:55 BST on 22 October 2026, as published by Sporting Life, after United lost 4-1 at Como in the Champions League. Crystal Palace’s Pierre Sage was second favourite at 9/2. Carrick had not been sacked when we checked. Sack race markets move on every result and report, and they settle under rules that differ from normal match bets.
Who is favourite in the Premier League sack race?
Michael Carrick is favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave. Sporting Life reported that he replaced Pierre Sage at the top of Sky Bet’s market after the 4-1 defeat at Como, with Sage drifting to 9/2. Here is the Sky Bet market as Sporting Life published it on the morning of 22 October 2026:
| Manager | Sky Bet price | Implied chance |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Carrick (Man Utd) | 4/6 | 60.0% |
| Pierre Sage (Crystal Palace) | 9/2 | 18.2% |
| Alvaro Arbeloa (Fulham) | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Roberto De Zerbi | 14/1 | 6.7% |
| Oliver Glasner | 14/1 | 6.7% |
| Matthias Jaissle | 16/1 | 5.9% |
| Regis Le Bris | 16/1 | 5.9% |
| Frank Lampard | 18/1 | 5.3% |
Sky Bet prices for the next Premier League manager to leave, as published by Sporting Life, correct at 09:55 BST on 22 October 2026. Implied chance is our own conversion (1 ÷ decimal odds) and ignores the bookmaker’s margin. Clubs are shown only where the source names them. Prices move quickly in this market; check the live price before you bet.
Prices differ between bookmakers. In Oddschecker’s comparison at 08:49 BST the same morning, Ladbrokes and Coral had the biggest price on Carrick at 7/4 (about 36%), while most firms were at 4/6. Our implied probability guide shows how to turn any of these prices into a percentage.
Why is Michael Carrick the sack race favourite?
Michael Carrick is favourite because Manchester United have won only two of their first 11 games of the season in all competitions and have gone seven without a win, their worst run since Louis van Gaal’s final season in 2015 (BBC Sport). The 4-1 defeat at Como on 21 October was followed by captain Bruno Fernandes questioning the staff’s tactics in a TNT Sports interview. United were 13th in the Premier League before Sunday’s home game with Bournemouth.
The Telegraph reported on 22 October that United still back Carrick but would consider Julian Nagelsmann if they decide to make a change. The full background, the Sky Bet market on his successor and who has been linked with the job are on our next Man Utd manager odds page.
Why is Pierre Sage second favourite?
Pierre Sage is second favourite because his Crystal Palace side lost 5-0 to Brighton, which left them 14th, according to Oddschecker’s report on 22 October 2026. He had been favourite before Carrick overtook him after the Como result. Fulham’s Alvaro Arbeloa was third in Sky Bet’s list at 6/1.
How does the next manager to leave market work?
A “next manager to leave” bet wins if the manager you back is the first of those listed to leave his post. Sky Bet’s football specials rules, checked on 22 October 2026, add three conditions:
- If nobody leaves: if no manager leaves before kick-off in the final round of Premier League fixtures, “No Manager To Leave” is settled as the winner and every other selection loses.
- Leaving at the end of the season: a manager who announces he is leaving but still takes charge of the final league game isn’t treated as having left.
- Gardening leave: doesn’t count towards settlement.
Other bookmakers write their own rules. They can treat resignations, mutual consent, ties on the same day and gardening leave differently, so read the rules at the bookmaker you use before you bet. If two selections can share a win, normal dead heat rules may apply.
How do you check the rules before betting on a sack race?
- Open the market and note its exact name: “next Premier League manager to leave” is a different bet from “next permanent manager” of one club.
- Find the bookmaker’s football specials or novelty rules in its help centre and read the section for that market.
- Check what happens if nobody leaves, and whether gardening leave, caretakers or mutual consent count.
- Remember that your stake can be tied up for months, and that free bets from welcome offers may not be usable on specials. Check the offer terms.
What moves sack race odds?
Sack race odds move on results, on reports about a club’s plans and on what a manager or captain says in public. Carrick’s price shortened after a heavy defeat and a captain’s criticism on the same night. When a decision looks close, bookmakers often suspend these markets, so the price you see may not be available for long. Odds show what the market expects, not what a club has decided.
Which next manager markets do we cover?
- Next Man Utd manager odds: why Michael Carrick is under pressure, Sky Bet’s market on his successor and how “next permanent manager” bets settle.
We only add a club when there is genuine news to report. For this weekend’s football, see our Premier League tips and the Man Utd v Bournemouth prediction.
Current sports welcome offers
New customer offers from licensed UK bookmakers are below, with the significant terms next to each one. Before using a free bet on a specials market such as the sack race, check that the offer allows it. The full list is on our free bets page, and our UK betting sites reviews cover licences and terms.
New customers. Min £5 deposit. First bet only: min £5 single/each-way at odds 1/1+ within 30 days of registration. 3 x £10 Free Bets (singles/each-way, excl. virtuals), expire after 30 days. Free Bet stakes not returned. Neteller and Skrill deposits excluded. No wagering on Free Bet winnings stated.
Promo code:
AB5G30Three separate £10 Free Bets, usable on singles and each-way.Full T&Cs
New Sky Betting and Gaming customers 18+ only (previous Sky Bet, Vegas, Casino, Bingo or Poker account holders excluded). Register, add card details and make a minimum £5 deposit. Your first bet must be a single or each-way bet of at least £5 on any Sky Bet market at odds of 1/1 or greater; accumulated smaller stakes do not count and only your first bet counts. Staking requirement must be met within 30 days of registration. Rewards: three £10 Free Bet tokens, usable on any single or each-way market excluding virtuals, not with any other offer. Free Bets expire 30 days after crediting, are non-withdrawable and stakes are not included in returns. One claim per customer. Customers depositing with Neteller or Skrill do not qualify. Offer may differ if you arrive via another link. Sky Bet General Promotion Terms apply.
New customers. Opt in at sign-up. Deposit £10+ and place a £10+ bet at odds 1/1+ within 7 days (excl. virtuals, esports, non-UK/IE racing). 4 x £10 Free Bets: 2 for football accas (4+ legs), 2 for sports multiples (2+ legs), valid 7 days. Free Bet stake not returned.
Rewards credited on settlement of one £10 qualifying bet, win or lose.
Full T&Cs
New BetMGM customers 18+. Select the Sports Welcome Offer at sign-up. Deposit at least £10 and place at least £10 on a qualifying bet within 7 days of registration: min odds Evens 1/1 (2.0); each-way bets need £10 each way (£20 total); Bet Builder total odds must be 1/1+. Excludes virtual sports, esports and non-UK/IE horse racing. Free Bets, Profit Boosts, Odds Boosts, void, cashed-out, partially cashed-out and system bets do not qualify. Not with other offers. On settlement you get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 2 x £10 on football accas (4+ selections) and 2 x £10 on sports multiples (2+ selections), selected via the betslip checkbox. Free Bets expire after 7 days; stake not included in winnings. Once per household/computer/IP. Operated by LeoVegas Gaming plc (UKGC 39198). General and promotional T&Cs apply.
New customers. Opt in at sign-up. Deposit £10+ and place a £10+ bet at odds 1/1+ within 7 days (excl. virtuals, esports, non-UK/IE racing). 4 x £10 Free Bets: 2 for football accas (4+ legs), 2 for sports multiples (2+ legs), valid 7 days. Free Bet stake not returned.
Same LeoVegas offer structure as BetMGM, with UK/IE racing allowed for the qualifier.
Full T&Cs
New BetUK.com customers 18+. Opt in by selecting the Sports Welcome Offer at sign-up. Deposit at least £10 and place at least £10 on a qualifying bet within 7 days of registration: min odds Evens 1/1 (2.0); each-way needs £10 each way; Bet Builder total odds 1/1+. Excludes virtual sports, esports and non-UK/IE horse racing. Free Bets, Profit/Odds Boosts, void, cashed-out, partially cashed-out and system bets do not qualify. Once only; not with other offers. On settlement: 2 x £10 Free Bets on football accas (4+ selections) and 2 x £10 on sports multiples (2+ selections). Unused Free Bets expire after 7 days; stake not included in winnings. Operated by LeoVegas Gaming plc (UKGC 39198). General Promotional and General T&Cs apply.
Staying in control
Betting on managers is betting on news, and news can turn in minutes. Set a budget, don’t chase a price after it has moved, and use the deposit limits and time-outs every UK-licensed bookmaker offers. Free, confidential support is available from BeGambleAware and the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Read our responsible gambling guide for more.
Sources checked
- Sporting Life: Premier League sack race betting, Michael Carrick now odds-on favourite after Como defeat (Sky Bet prices correct at 09:55 BST, 22 October 2026)
- Oddschecker: Next Man Utd manager odds, favourites and Carrick chances to be sacked (comparison at 08:49 BST, 22 October 2026)
- Sky Bet help centre: Football Specials Rules (checked 22 October 2026)
- BBC Sport: Fernandes rounds on Carrick after Man Utd humiliation (21 October 2026)
- The Telegraph: Manchester United will consider Julian Nagelsmann if Michael Carrick sacked (22 October 2026)
FAQs
Who is favourite to be the next Premier League manager sacked?
Michael Carrick. Sky Bet had the Manchester United head coach at 4/6 to be the next Premier League manager to leave at 09:55 BST on 22 October 2026, as published by Sporting Life. Prices change quickly.
Has Michael Carrick been sacked?
No. Carrick was still Manchester United head coach when we checked on 22 October 2026, after the 4-1 defeat at Como.
What happens to a sack race bet if no manager leaves?
At Sky Bet, if no manager leaves before kick-off in the final round of Premier League fixtures, "No Manager To Leave" wins and every other selection loses. Other bookmakers set their own rules.
Does gardening leave count in the sack race?
Not at Sky Bet: its football specials rules say gardening leave does not count towards settlement. Check the rules at your bookmaker.
Why do different bookmakers have different sack race odds?
Each bookmaker sets its own prices and reacts to news at its own speed. On the morning of 22 October 2026, Oddschecker showed Carrick at 7/4 with Ladbrokes and Coral but 4/6 with most firms.